"Rory! Welcome to Boston!"
Rory looked up and saw a cute, petite woman with strawberry blonde hair, she looked like a short Gwyneth Paltrow. Her stomach had a very small bump, Rory thought it looked more like she had a few too many tacos for lunch than a baby in there. She seemed really peppy making Rory already want a cup of coffee.
Rory made it up the steps to the townhouse with Christopher behind her carrying her bag. She stopped in front of the woman she assumed was Sherry and smiled.
"Hi," Rory said shyly.
Sherry threw her arms around Rory and hugged her, "I'm so glad you're here! Christopher has talked of nothing else for days. Thank you for spending this weekend with us! I have so many plans."
"Sherry, why not let the girl into the house before you bombard her with your ideas?"
"Oh, I'm sorry," she giggled. "Come on Rory, I'll give you the tour."
"Great," Rory smiled. "Do you have any coffee?"
"Of course, your Dad told me that you and your Mom are addicted so I wanted to make sure we were stocked up. Chris go start a pot while I give her the tour."
Besides being a little too perky for Rory's taste, Sherry was really nice. She gave a detailed tour letting Rory know every nook and cranny of the place so she would feel comfortable knowing where everything is. The guest room was set up with a small but comfortable bed, a plush armchair by the window with a small TV and a desk.
"I hope you'll be comfortable here." Sherry smiled.
"The room is great," Rory smiled.
Christopher came into the room with a coffee mug, "Here's your coffee. Sherry, we should start working on dinner and let Rory rest and unpack."
As soon as Rory saw them go down the steps she slipped back into the guest room and closed the door, she pulled the cell phone that she and Lorelai shared from her pocket and called her Mom.
"Tell me EVERYTHING!" Lorelai answered.
Rory laughed and told her Mom all about the house and car ride. Lorelai peppered her with questions and laughed uncontrollably when Rory admitted to pretending to fall asleep in the car to avoid Christopher's questions.
The girls laughed and chatted until Rory had to get ready for dinner.
It was just over a week before the big wedding and everything was set. The town square was going to host the whole town and some of the Gilmores' friends and colleagues. It was going to be simple and elegant, filled with BBQ food and Sookie's finer cuisine. Everyone was excited and helped with the planning. Most of the items on tonight's Town Meeting agenda were things to do for the wedding.
In the month since Rory visited Chris and Sherry she had phone calls with him every other day and a check in with Sherry every week. Sherry seemed to be a good influence on Chris, he was settled into a good job, made some form of peace with his parents and apologized to Lorelai and Luke for previous drama. He seemed genuine in his desire to be there for Rory and even asked her to join him and Sherry to the ultrasound that revealed the gender of the baby (it was a girl).
Things seemed to be going well for everyone and for some reason that gave Luke a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. It felt like every time in his life when things were going so well something bad happened, so he was just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"Luuuucas, aren't you coming?" Lorelai called as she entered the Diner.
Luke emerged from the kitchen with three plates in a hurry. He kissed Lorelai's cheek on his way by, "Sorry, I can't make it. It's been a madhouse here tonight."
Lorelai pouted, "But tonight is about our wedding."
"As long as you're there, you say yes when the guy asks if you do, and there's food, I'm happy."
"Perfect," Lorelai smiled. "I heard nothing about costumes so you'll be Robin Hood and I'll be Maid Marion."
He actually laughed at that one so she grinned with victory as she headed to the town meeting.
"Alright people calm down," Taylor instructed as he banged his gavel. "There will be plenty of time to talk about the wedding, I just need to take care of a few things before we start. Now there's a small problem with people not picking up after their dogs."
"Oh come on Taylor, enough with this type of crap," Babette called.
"Do you plan on eating or dancing at this upcoming wedding?"
"Of course!"
"Well then, Babette, I can't imagine you would want to step in some dog droppings while trying to enjoy yourself at this wedding."
Suddenly there was a loud bang from outside and the whole crowd jumped.
"What was that?" Gypsy asked.
Kirk ran to the door, when he opened it a huge gust of wind swept through the studio. "You guys need to see this," Kirk said gravely as he pulled the door open wider. The town collectively gasped when they saw what looked like a tornado heading towards them.
"This can't be real," Rory whispered.
The wind was blowing so hard that the 'Luke's' sin flew off its hinges and down the street. Papers and plastic bags whirled in the alley by Doose's, kids were running and screaming, heading home for cover.
"Oh my God, what do we do?"
Taylor banged his gavel, "Okay, everyone who has a basement, get home and get home fast, take your families, water and some food to the basements. Those who do not have access to a basement raise your hands now and we will get you into the school and you will be safe in their basement. Let's move now, people!"
"LORELAI! RORY!" Luke was screaming as people spilled out of the Diner heading to their homes. "GET OVER HERE!" He was sprinting towards the dance studio. "I mean it, we have to get moving!" Luke insisted. "Liz and Jess are in the basement already, we have to move now!"
"Luke, do you have room for anyone else? We're trying to make sure everyone is safe," Taylor asked.
"Who needs a place?" Luke asked.
"Oh! I do," Sookie jumped. "And Jackson will too."
"Well get him, and let's move," Luke insisted.
Luke grabbed both Lorelai and Rory's hands and headed towards the Diner. "Grab Sookie's hand!" Luke commanded.
"Luke, we'll be okay." Lorelai assured. But as they stepped out of the studio they felt the force of the wind and Lorelai grabbed Sookie's hand and pulled her close to her body.
Jackson was running down the street, "Sookie! We gotta take cover. I saw it by the farm."
"We're going to Luke's basement," Sookie called, holding out her hand.
Once the five of them were in the Diner Luke led them to the back and pointed to the stairs, "Jackson, get them down there."
"Where do you think you're going?" Lorelai asked.
"Just up to the apartment for a second. I'm going to grab a few camping things that will help us with being down there. Now go!"
"No way! I'm coming with you. If I'm with you I know you'll go as fast as possible. Plus we can bring more stuff. Don't argue, let's just move!"
Jackson ushered Rory and Sookie to the basement while Luke and Lorelai sprinted up the stairs. Luke handed her a radio, a pack of batteries, and a few other essentials. He was still grabbing things when she looked out the window and saw debris flying all over the town. The sky was dark and the wind was so loud.
"We should go now!"
"Yeah, let's get out of here." Luke followed her down the stairs and lit a few camping lamps.
"I'm so scared," Rory whispered as she huddled into Lorelai's arms.
Luke wrapped himself around Rory and Lorelai, sandwiching Rory between them, "Don't worry kid, I've got you. We'll all be okay." Luke assured her.
Lorelai loved how strong he was and how he was able to ease people's nerves, but this time she saw the fear in his eyes and it terrified her.